Convertible sewing machine table top structure



March 10, 1953 H. D. STUMP 2 ,631,074

CONVERTIBLE SEWING MACHINE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE Filed June 2, 1951 INVENTOR.

flan 420 5 570MB WTW.

A TTOIP/VF/S' Patented Mar. 10, 1953 OFFICE,

CONVERTIBLE SEWING MACHINE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE Howard D. Stump, Center Township, St. Joseph County, Ind.

Application June 2, 1951, Serial No. 229,639 7 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in convertible sewing machine table top structure. More particularly, the invention relates to a table capable of serving multiple purposes, and particularly capable of forming a support for detachably mounting a machine, such as a sewing machine.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a table which can be converted readily from a'fiat top table to a table having an opening in which a machine can be supported, which table is characterized by an extension of a part of the top thereof to increase the dimension of the table top in one direction and avoid reduction in the surface areaof the table top when used as a machine support.

A further object is to provide a table having a top formed of a fixed panel and a sliding panel,

said table including a support positioned beneath the sliding panel and adjustable in elevation, said slidable panelbeing shiftable to expose said support and to form an extension of the normal overall outline of the table.

A further object is to provide a table having a slidable top panel positioned above a machine support and adapted to fit in grooves of a frame rail when in retracted position, said grooves being adaptedto receive and position a second panel when said first sliding panel is opened, whereby a machine of a dimension less than the transverse dimension of the sliding panel may be mounted in the table top.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the table with its sliding panel in retracted position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the table top with parts broken away and illustrating the manner in which a machine is supported by the table.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 and illustrating the base of a machine in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1. 1

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral l designates the rails of a table top. These rails are secured together to define a rectangular, and preferably square, frame with the rails being vertically elongated, as best seen in Fig. 3. In the preferred construction, each of the rails preferably has a longitudinal groove l2 formed in the inner surface thereof adjacent its upper edge, and the upper edge of. each rail prefon the frame.

erably is rounded as at M. The table frame is supported upon legs I6 which preferably are folding legs equipped with braces 13. The braces l8 are of the releasable type so as to permit the table legs Iii to fold or swing substantially parallel to and Within the table frame defined by the rails Hi to which the legs are pivoted by any suitable means (not shown).

The frame formed by the rails Ill is cross braced, there being one cross brace 22 extending substantially centrally of the frame between two of the side rails and parallel to the other side rails. A second cross brace 24, preferably parallel to'the brace 22 and positioned adjacent to one of the rails l0, serves further to reinforce and strength- The spacing of the members 22 and 24 will preferably be greater than thewidth of the base 26 of a machine, such as a sewing machine, which is intended to be mounted upon the device. The top surfaces of the cross braces 22 and 24 preferably lie in a plane common with the plane in whichthe bottom horizontal surfaces of the grooves l2 will lie.

vAt longitudinally spaced points, each of the cross braces 22 and 24 has a vertical bore '28 formed therein adapted to receive the shank 3d of asorew. At a point midheight, each of the cross braces 22 and 24 is provided With an opening 32 intersecting each bore 28 and of a size to receive a nut 34. and to hold such nut against rotation. Each screw has-an enlarged head 36. Between the adjacent screws carried by the cross rails 22 and 24,. extend metal plates 38 apertured at their ends to rotatably receive the screw shanks 3% but with the apertures smaller than the screw heads 36 upon which they bear. There are two or more of the straps or bars 38 spanning the space between the members 22 and 24 and spaced lengthwise thereof.

' The top of the table is formed by a fixed panel 40 and a sliding panel 42. The fixed panel 46 is received in the slots i2 of the rails l0 at its three outer edges and rests upon the cross member 22 at its inner margin with its edge preferably substantially flush with one of the side faces of the member 22. The slidable panel 42 normally spans the space between the inner edge of the panel 40 and the opposite rail Ill parallel to the member 22. At one outer end the panel 42 carries a bar portion or cleat 44, and one of the rails I0 is cut away at 46 to reduced height to permit the cleat 44 to enter such cut-away when the table top is in its retracted position shown in Fig, l.

In its retracted position the outer side margin and the inner end margin of the panel 42 each have a sliding fit within the rail grooves [2. The inner side or longitudinal margin of the sliding panel 42 has an elongated guide 48 secured thereto, which guide has a sliding fit in a longitudinal groove 56 formed in the central cross member 22. Thus the panel 42 is guided in its movement between retracted position shown in Fig. land its extended position shown in Fig. 2, and is eifectively supported even when in its extended position.

The panel 42 may be formed of any material found suitable and possessing requisite strength.

For this purpose I prefer to use plywood for the sliding panel 42, but it will be understood that this panel may be formed of metal, of strong compacted fibrous panels known in the trade as hardboard, or from wooden boards.

The dimensions of the base 26 of the machine, such as a sewing machine, which is to be mounted in the table, are usually substantially less than the dimensions of the panel 42. More specifically, the length of thebase 26 will be shorter than the length of the frame cross members 22 and 24, and the width of the base 26 will be less than the spacing between the cross members 22 and 24.

In installing this base upon the table after the panel 42 has been extended, the base of the machine will be positioned to bear against the inner side rail 22 and against the end rail H! of the table opposite the rail which is cut away at 46. After the machine base has been so positioned, the panel 42 will be shifted to a position as illustrated in Fig. 2 with its inner end bearing against the end of the frame. A panel 52 will be formed of a size to span the space within the contour of the table frame which is left open and which is not used by the machine base 26. The panel 52 will preferably be of a thickness to fit snugly within the grooves 12 of the two rails H] which outline the space to receive it, and will rest at or near its inner longitudinal margin upon the frame cross member 24. It will be understood that the device will be so constructed that the panels 40, 42 and 52 will have their upper surfaces flush when installed. It also will be apparent that, by means of the adjustment afforded by the screw shanks 30 threaded in the nuts 34, the elevation of the strap or plates 38 must be adjusted so that the upper surface of the machine base 26 will lie substantially flush with said panels 40, 42 and 52.

The device possesses many advantages. It can be used to detachably support a machine without sacrifice of the overall surface area thereof.

When in retracted position the table top is substantially continuous and is suitable for use in playing games, or any other purposes. The device is readily collapsible or foldable, if desired, it being understood that the legs of the table will preferably swing in a plane parallel to the cross members 22 and 24. The table may provide means, not here shown, preferably beneath the fixed top 48, for securing the removable panel insert 52 when the table is in retracted condition. The slide 42 may be provided with means (not shown), such as a mechanical latch, a coil spring, a hook and eye arrangement, or a spring latch, for releasably holding it in its closed or retracte position. i

It will be understood that the use of the two cross members 22 and 24, while preferred, is optional and that only one thereof need be used, namely, the central member 22. Where the other cross frame member 24 is omitted, it will be understood that the outer ends of the straps 38 will be supported substantially as in the manner described but will extend to one of the outer rails H) which will mount the securing means, such as the screw and nut support 30, 34. It will be understood that this alternative construction necessitates that the base 26 of the machine support the inner margin of the small panel, or

that some othersupporting means for the inner margin of the small panel be provided upon the table.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A table comprising a plurality of rails connected to define a frame, a cross frame member secured to opposed rails to define a part of said frame and extending parallel to some of said rails, a fixed top panel secured to and spanning a part only of said frame with one margin thereof supported by said cross member, guide means carried by and extending longitudinally of said cross member and a rail parallel thereto and spaced from said fixed top panel, a slide panel shiftably supported and guided by said guide means, a plurality of rigid horizontal members carried by said frame and spanning a part of the frame beneath said slide panel, a panel narrower than said slide panel and cooperating with said slide panel to define a space adapted to receive a machine when supported on said horizontal members, and means on said frame for supporting said last named panel.

2. A table comprising a plurality of rails connected to define a frame, a cross frame member secured to opposed rails to define a part of said frame and extending parallel to some of said rails, a fixed top panel secured to and spanning a part only of said frame with one margin thereof supported by said cross member, guide means carried by and extending longitudinally of said cross member and a rail parallel thereto and spaced from said fixed top panel, a slide panel shiftably supported and guided by said guide means, a plurality of rigid horizontal members carried by said frame and spanning a part of the frame beneath said slide panel, a second -cross frame member extending parallel to said first cross member and forming a part of said frame, said horizontal members being carried by said cross frame members spaced from the margins of said frame, and a small panel supported by said frame and said second cross member and cooperating with said slide panel to define a machine-receiving space above said horizontal mempers.

23. A table comprising a plurality of rails connected to define a frame, at least two of said rails having longitudinal grooves in their inner faces,

'a pair of spaced parallel cross members spanning said frame, one of said cross members having a longitudinal groove, a shiftable top panel -slidabie in a rail groove parallel to said cross members, a guide, member carried by and depending from said shiftable top panel and slidable in said cross member groove, a fixed top panel secured to the frame and cooperating with said 'slidable panel to completely span saidframe, machine support means carried by said cross members spaced below the level of said top panel, and a panelremovably. marginally seated in said 5 6 rail grooves and. supported by one of said cross UNITED STATES PATENTS members, said last named panel cooperating with Number Na D said sliding panel and fixed panel to define a 150 775 g i May 3 space above said support means adapted to re- 1 565395 Reddig Dec 1925 a machine- 5 1595379 Childs Aug 10 1926 HOWARD STUMP- 2,503,199 Goldblatt et a1 Apr. 4, 1950 REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS The following references are of record in the Number Country at file of this patent: 1 718,723 France Jan. 28, 1932 

